Glastonbury 2009: My first time for 14 years
Bigger and better
Differences from 1991-95? It goes on for longer, it’s much bigger. The dance area is depressingly mainstream and dated, but the “alternative” nightlife quarter (“Trash City”, “Arcadia”, “Shangri La”) is mind-boggling strange and reminiscent of the kick-the-fence-down-to-rave-outside installations of the early 90s, that happened in the same kind of area. It’s great.
Same old Glastonbury
Apart from that, it’s the same old Glastonbury - that is to say the best festival in the world. A huge area, beautiful part of the world, amazing variety, unbeatable atmosphere, outrageous costumes.
The fun is in the fringes - cabaret (like Four Poofs and a Piano from the Jonathan Ross show), theatre, comedy - although having said that Dizzee Rascal and Madness both rocked the main stage (all the world said Blur were cool, just sounded like Blur to me).
Bands, bands and more bands
Playing the smaller tents, Jack Peñate was spikier and more indie than on record - bit reminiscent of the Wedding Present. I liked him. Florence and the Machine will be huge, Magic Numbers aren’t and won’t be. Both were drop-dead excellent. Made you want to cry. What more do you want from a live band?
Friendly Fires sound (but certainly don’t look) like a poppy Cure, but for 15 year olds, which is a good thing. The manufactured White Lies do nothing new and the lead singer looks like a young Jack Dee. This definitely isn’t good. Prodigy sucked (just listen to a DJ if you want good dance, and stop telling me I’m your “f*cking Glastonbury warrior”). Speaking of dance, dubstep is huge! Love it. (Try this dubstep remix of ‘Bonkers’.)
Never again?
So - 5 days and nights in a field. Candle was fully burned at both ends by day 3 but we kept on going. I still feel very strange and it’s five days later. Wish I were still 18.
My first Glasto in 13 years and it will probably be my last, but I definitely went out on a high.
